pretty basic

Took this at wedding some time ago. Thought I have a go at changing back ground and adding textures. Just practicing something I'd seen on you tube. Curious as to what others may think. Will put before and after

Comments

This is a perfectly reasonable record of two ladies enjoying themselves. Album stuff. Not the right subject to play about with though - your mod has added nothing and rather destroyed a reasonable quality image.
Sorry, but leave such images alone - the tricks need suitable images, whatever they are.
Paul

This is a perfectly reasonable record of two ladies enjoying themselves. Album stuff. Not the right subject to play about with though - your mod has added nothing and rather destroyed a reasonable quality image.

The idea of providing a plain background is a sound one, to avoid the distraction of a busy background. In this case, though, it's a little too obvious so that the figures appear like cardboard cut-outs.
I'm no expert in this technique but I think that use of more "feathering" in your brush and then smoothing the edges of the foreground selection are needed to increase the realism.

The idea of providing a plain background is a sound one, to avoid the distraction of a busy background. In this case, though, it's a little too obvious so that the figures appear like cardboard cut-outs.

I'm no expert in this technique but I think that use of more "feathering" in your brush and then smoothing the edges of the foreground selection are needed to increase the realism.

It's just a snapshot - point and shoot with direct flash at its most basic.
The second version looks like you have photocopied the pics (badly!), cut them out, and stuck them on dark paper.
I'm afraid it is the sort of shot taken on millions of phones the world over, and there is very little you can do to improve it. Not the sort of pic to digitally manipulate, I'm afraid.
Nick

It's just a snapshot - point and shoot with direct flash at its most basic.
The second version looks like you have photocopied the pics (badly!), cut them out, and stuck them on dark paper.

I'm afraid it is the sort of shot taken on millions of phones the world over, and there is very little you can do to improve it. Not the sort of pic to digitally manipulate, I'm afraid.

It's always good to have a go at something different and try new techniques, Dennis, but here I don't think it has come off.
It is very difficult to cut out hair successfully unless you spend hours doing it pixel by pixel or spend a fortune on packages which do the job for you. If you look at the original pic the hair looks natural because we can see those odd stray hairs which stick out no matter how well groomed you are. Whilst the black background does suit the pic you can see immediately that you have cut round the hair in an unconvincing fashion.
I am not sure what other changes you have made to the original but the quality seems to have suffered, as has already been pointed out.
I would just accept the original photo as a record of the day.
Best wishes
Catherine

It's always good to have a go at something different and try new techniques, Dennis, but here I don't think it has come off.

It is very difficult to cut out hair successfully unless you spend hours doing it pixel by pixel or spend a fortune on packages which do the job for you. If you look at the original pic the hair looks natural because we can see those odd stray hairs which stick out no matter how well groomed you are. Whilst the black background does suit the pic you can see immediately that you have cut round the hair in an unconvincing fashion.

I am not sure what other changes you have made to the original but the quality seems to have suffered, as has already been pointed out.

Thanks guys for the feedback. Going to keep trying with other images. There is only really one way to learn is to first get it WRONG then go back again and again and AGAIN until you get it right. Well I've done the wrong bit now let's see if I can it right!

Thanks guys for the feedback. Going to keep trying with other images. There is only really one way to learn is to first get it WRONG then go back again and again and AGAIN until you get it right. Well I've done the wrong bit now let's see if I can it right!

Stay away from anythng that involves hair until you have the basics sorted out.
Try an object like a car, for example.
Theres a very good video on EPZ TV by Beckham Video about making complex extractions, - take a look and try it.
regards
Willie

Stay away from anythng that involves hair until you have the basics sorted out.

Try an object like a car, for example.

Theres a very good video on EPZ TV by Beckham Video about making complex extractions, - take a look and try it.